which over heads to buy??? or something else???

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crumhorn
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which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by crumhorn » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:08 pm

I'm a jazz guitar player and I have growing home studio. I am going to have the privilage of recording a bit with a really smoking bass player and drummer for a few sessions in my studio and I am psyched. The sound on acoustic bass I am getting makes me very happy but I am not quite as pleased with the drum sound. It is good but I have a few bucks to spend and want to make it better with a pair of OH's (I think).

I just upgraded things with a second Echo Layla for 16 tracks and a Soundcraft mixer (which is soooo much nicer than the Mackie 1402vlz it replaced; anyone want to buy a Mackie?). Mics I own presently for recording trio (guitar, bass drums) are:

akg 451 (presently a mono OH)
Adk a-51 (room mic for kit)
CAD 100 (on the kick)
CAD-200 (rules on the Acoustic bass!!!)
a couple more sm57's on the kit and one on the acoustic bass
Adk TC (room mic for guitar)
MD421 (close on the guitar amp; much better than a 57 imo)

I have a sytek mpx-4, presonus mp-20, ART dual MP (on ebay NR soon) and the Soundcraft pres.

Mics for OH I am considering in the <1k range are:

Avenson omni pair
Peluso sdc pair (I like the changable capsules idea)
ADK TL pair
AKG 451 pair

Any suggestions or comments would be helpful.
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Dot
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by Dot » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:46 pm

crumhorn, for what you're doing I'd narrow that list down to the Peluso CEMC6's and the ADK TL's. The 451's can get really bright and aren't necessarily the best mic for taming OH's. The Avenson's are great but leave you stuck in omni - and if your room doesn't sound pretty good, then they won't sound good.

If you use the transformerless TL's with the Sytek you're going to get really nice imagery. The TL's - with the 4-pattern caps are obviously going to offer you the most sonic versatility. The Peluso pencil mics are stunning and probably the best value in cost vs performance on the market. Very natural and detailed sound.

If you're getting a sound where you're using minimal mic on the kit - like 4 or so - I think the TL's would be the best choice. Also best choice for versatility over more sources. the TL's will do a better job of picking up the overall kit. If you're using more mics on the kit, then the CEMC6's would do a great job.
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by stuntbutt » Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:13 am

You should not allow your drum and bass player to "smoke" in the studio. Smoke will ruin electrical contacts and mic diaphragms.

Stephen
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by Stephen » Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:18 am

I have the Avensons and they are the best damned mics you can get for the dough. They are incredibly versatile.
Pax, Steve
PS: Thanks Raj....
Last edited by Stephen on Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by bigtoe » Fri Feb 04, 2005 5:53 am

'I am not quite as pleased with the drum sound.'

well what bugs you about it? is it too bright? not bright enough? not 'full' enough? are the toms ugly? does the set sound boxy? is the kick getting lost? does the snare ring? are the cymbals dead? are they too sizzly?

etc etc...

not sure how anyone can say anything about what to get with no info...right now you have more than enough to make a great drum recording...

ok - have a good one.

Mike

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The Real MC
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by The Real MC » Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:53 am

If you're using an overhead mic for cymbals, the Sennheiser 441 worked very well for me. I put one on the drummer's kit (triggered kick and mic'd toms) and the results are on http://www.mojoboogieband.com/html/music.html under "Feeling Lucky". It added an unbelieveable crispness to the cymbals. The 441 has rolloff selector so you can to roll off everything except high frequencies.

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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by lifeintime » Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:16 am

Stephen wrote:I have the Avebsons and they are the best damned mics you can get for the dough. They are incredibly versatile.
Pax, Steve
PS: Thanks Raj....
I can't find any info on the Averson or Aberson microphones. Do you have a link to their site?

Thanks.
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by bap » Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:55 am

It's Avenson. Avenson STO-2 - available only in pairs.

When recommending gear, we should watch our spelling and typing!

lsn110
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by lsn110 » Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:47 am

And the link is http://www.avensonaudio.com/

I've been mulling these over as well.... I'm liking my room sound since I moved to the new house, but then I wonder whether it's because I'm using a U195 for my room mic....

In any case, getting these would give me good reason to get rid of a few lower end mics that I don't use much.

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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by Stephen » Fri Feb 04, 2005 8:48 am

LifeInTime wrote:
Stephen wrote:I have the Avebsons and they are the best damned mics you can get for the dough. They are incredibly versatile.
Pax, Steve
PS: Thanks Raj....
I can't find any info on the Averson or Aberson microphones. Do you have a link to their site?

Thanks.
Please forgive my crappy spelling. I am new your country and have not had my fill of your wonderful crack and whores...
Actually I am just a shitty typist. Anyway, scope this:
http://mercenaryaudio.com/avensonaudio.html

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eeldip
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by eeldip » Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:35 am

ummm. i like the beyer m260 for OHs, but as someone said. its all a matter of taste...

need more input! more input! (short circuit reference)

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Rick Hunter
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by Rick Hunter » Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:41 am

As someone who has been recorded by Eeldip, I will vouch for whatever he would use. But we totally arent a jazz band either so, nevermind.

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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by fremitus » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:41 am

i use a pair of AKG 460's a lot, they are bright, no doubt. i usually end up bringing 'em back a bit on the highest highs. i have a nice set of earthworks tc40k's for omni OH's and for the room a sweet soundfield MkIV. most of the time it's a combination of soundfield and 460's because i get the most options out of that setup. soundfield doesn't fit the price range. i just wanted to mention it...

goldsoundz
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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by goldsoundz » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:57 am

behringer ecm-8000 :)

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Re: which over heads to buy??? or something else???

Post by Rigsby » Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:06 pm

I like C1000s and while i don't record jazz as such in can be in that vein, i like the detail and the brightness can be EQed slightly if it gets a bit much, but i personally haven't found it to be a problem. It's been a while since i've recorded a drum kit, maybe a year or so, but for the drummer i like to record most C1000s are my choice, and he's got a jazz style to some fair extent.
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